Rutledge dad pleads to disorderly conduct for leaving son in car

MEDIA COURTHOUSE -- A Rutledge man pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of disorderly conduct for leaving his 3-year-old son alone in a car while he and his 4-year-old were inside a bar listening to a band.

According to police, Keith Charles Barnes, 50, of the 100 block of Rutledge Avenue, took both of his sons to see an April 28 performance of the band Blackthorn at a bar on MacDade Boulevard.

When the younger boy began acting up, Barnes allegedly took him outside and locked him in the car. According to an affidavit of probable cause, it was about 45 degrees out that evening.

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Police responded to the bar at about 8:12 p.m. and tried to get inside the car for several minutes before Barnes came outside, according to the affidavit. The boy was released from the vehicle and appeared fine. Police believe he had been in there for about 20 minutes.

Police said Barnes did not seem to grasp the severity of the situation and had alcohol on his breath. A portable breath test later registered a blood alcohol content of 0.06, according to the affidavit.

Barnes, who teaches technology education to high school students in the Haverford School District, was charged with child endangerment for bringing the boys to a bar and drinking with the intention of driving them home, as well as putting the younger boy in the locked car.

Defense attorney Christopher Hemmel described Barnes on Wednesday as an upstanding member of society and said it had been an honor to represent him.

"This is the type of person who I don't even think of as a criminal defendant," said Hemmel. "This is the type of man who I would invite over for a barbecue with my family. That's what I think about Mr. Barnes. And you'll never hear me say that about a defendant who I represent."

Judge James Nilon sentenced Barnes to one year of probation. Assistant District Attorney Matthew DeNucci prosecuted the case.